Study Abroad Bloggers

5 Great Study Abroad Locations in Spain

2010-03-09T14:51:39-05:00

If you've decided you're going to study Spanish abroad in Spain but haven't decided where you'd like to go, it's good to think about what you want out of your experience, to examine your options and to understand the vast differences between each city. Here are five popular choices:

1. Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and an ideal location for you if you're looking for a bustling city environment to practice your new skills and vocabulary. It is centrally located in the country, which makes it very accessible to all other parts of the country. It's home to many boutique stores that may appeal to the fashionably inclined, and is also home to one of the most notable collections of art in the world, the Prado Museum, or 'Museo de Prado'.

2. Sevilla

Sevilla is an ideal location for history buffs and those seeking a smaller city. It has a rich history full of influence from other lands and Spanish heritage alike. You can learn how to flamenco dance, take an architecture tour, or see an authentic bull fight. Sevilla is the capital of Andalusia and contains the Alhambra, a historical fortress.

3. Pamplona

Every July in the city of Pamplona, locals and tourists participate in the age-old tradition of the 'Running of the Bulls,' ("encierro") at San Fermin. Each year it is an exciting and controversial event, and many out-of-towners who have attended would consider it an experience of a lifetime. Outside of the Running of the Bulls event, the city of Pamplona is laid-back and mild, and would be a good place to study for one who wants to relax and mill about with the locals.

4. Barcelona

Barcelona is a gorgeous beach town on the Mediterranean in close proximity to France. If you want to have a lively and energetic Spanish experience and require a beach for some R&R, it may be the place for you. It has a lot of unique culture and activities to offer, and a tour of its world-famous Goudy architecture is a must see. Keep in mind that many Spaniards in Barcelona do not speak Spanish but Catalan, which is an entirely different language altogether!

5. Valencia

Another beach town, Valencia has a lot of relaxation, culture and beauty to offer the weary traveler in addition to offering the novelties of the city life. You can visit the Old City ruins in the center of town, spend a day at the beach, visit museums, and go shopping. It is not a super touristy destination, so you will have much more exposure to unadulterated Spanish culture and native speakers!

For more details studying Spanish in these locations or to learn about even more locations in Spain, you can visit AmeriSpan Study Abroad, Languages Abroad, or AllStudyAbroad.

The Cost Effectiveness of Spending a College Semester Abroad

2010-03-04T15:00:36-05:00

The prospect of spending an entire semester or year studying abroad can be a daunting one, especially since your college or university may impose quite a bit of paperwork, hassle, and red tape on you. There are meetings, approvals, fees and various other arrangements to be made. There's also often a limited repertoire of possibilities. For example, your school may only offer classes at satellite schools in Rome and Tokyo, but you want to improve your Spanish skills and vocabulary.

Rest assured, because there is something your advisors may not be telling you! For a fraction of the standard American tuition fees you've been paying, you can arrange a semester or longer studying a language and other electives abroad. This rings true especially in locations in Latin America, where the cost of living is significantly lower than say, most of Western Europe. A third party agency can save you all of the hassle and set you up with an inexpensive alternative that can be customized to your needs and all-inclusive.

It's very simple. Decide which location and language study suits you best, request a list of course offerings from the agency, bring it to your advisor to be signed off (this is usually relatively painless), and register! Thousands of college-age students are finding that racking up college credits overseas is not only a huge resume-builder but a monster way to save thousands on tuition, and in these murky economic times, participation in a study abroad program can immensely propel you forward. And did we mention that you'll most likely have the time of your life?

More information on college study abroad programs can be found at StudyAbroad

3 Free Spanish Learning Tools

2010-03-02T18:30:36-05:00

Interested in learning Spanish, but no time to study abroad right now? No money to buy expensive software or enroll in classes either? Oh no! But don't despair, there are many free tools and resources available online to help AND give you a head start on your learning. Some of our favorites are Bilingual America's Free Spanish Learning Pack, Transparent Language's BKYI Software, and Visual Link Spanish's 11 free Spanish lessons.

1. Bilingual America's Free Spanish Learning Pack - This is a really great resource, and includes a book about how to really learn Spanish, a 30 minute sample of The Real Spanish Path™ Verb Structure Development Tool and Lesson One of both the Basic and Intermediate Levels of the SpanishPower™ course. We've tested this out and it is a very effective system! Click to get the Free Spanish Pack. For those interested in more of Bilingual America's products, they offer a wealth of information, SpanishPower™ courses, and even live Spanish tutoring over the phone.

2. Transparent Language's BYKI Software - Dubbed BYKI for "Before You Know It," this is a really cool software system. You can download a fully working version for free, and if you want to expand for more lessons, it will cost something. The free BYKI Spanish software is pretty cool because it tracks your progress and remembers which words and phrases you have trouble with or haven't practiced in a while. It also tests your ability to write the phrases in Spanish, which we find to be quite important for language retention.

3. Visual Link Spanish - They offer 11 free Spanish learning sessions. Visual Link is a very popular program with the All Study Abroad staff. Along with the free lessons, you can get a Spanish dictionary and other resources.

Comparing Study Abroad Language Schools

2010-02-25T18:38:20-05:00

Selecting a language school in a foreign country can seem like a monumental task, but it doesn’t have to be. With an organized approach and a clear priority list, you can make the best decision that will ensure learning success. To begin, write down your budget and goal. Consider your current proficiency in your target language and how long you want to study. How much time can you take off from your job or school? What time of year would you like to travel? Will you be travelling with a companion or family? These are all points to deliberate upon when formulating your budget and goal.

Next, pick a location in which you would like to study. Happy and comfortable students learn better! Think about what you would like your surroundings to be like. Beaches or rainforest? Big city or small village? Surrounded by locals or with the ‘safety net’ of other Americans around? Is there a famous museum or ruins you’ve always dreamed of visiting?

Next, gather information about what schools are available in your location. Important things to consider are: Class size, the number of hours spent in class, lodging offered and what activities are included. One thing to ignore at this point is the price of each program. More importantly, take a look at how easy it is to find information about each school. Is the school’s website well designed and easy to navigate? The school’s reputation directly reflects the quality of language education you will receive. When schools pop up more often in your research, they are generally more established and have the financial means to advertise, which is a good thing!

School and program size should also be a key factor in your research. Send an email to the school and ask about how many students will be at the school at any given time. More students makes the program fun while too many students makes it feel too impersonal. Find out how often group classes start. A very good sign is when the programs begin weekly, since that shows they have new students arriving and departing regularly. Ask what the school’s atmosphere is like. Does the school seem organized? How long did it take to get a response? Anything longer than 24-hours can be a red flag. Did the response sufficiently answer your questions or was it vague? Unorganized schools equal dissatisfied students.

At this point you have probably eliminated most of the schools on your list and have zeroed in on a few. Now is the time to refer to your research compare. What is the class size offered at each school? There are many interactive methods that work well in a small class setting that simply are not possible in private classes. For example, in some schools that teach English to locals, there is the opportunity to pair up with a native-speaker and practice speaking in English and your target language with each other. Also, private classes are often less structured, since group classes must encompass the needs of all students with different backgrounds and learning abilities. Oftentimes, the most experienced and well-trained instructors teach the group classes.

Take a look at some photos of the schools you are still interested in and rank your top two to three schools. Finally, find out the prices. If your first choice meets your budget, do it! If not, move down the list until you find the best match for you.

Good places to start comparing language schools are GoAbroad, AllStudyAbroad, and LanguagesAbroad.

Top 5 Warm & Sunny Winter Study Abroad Places

2010-02-16T16:43:30-05:00

Cold weather got you down? Have you been wanting to learn a new language, but haven't started yet? Now is the perfect time to plan a study abroad trip. Read our Top 5 Warm & Sunny Winter Study Abroad Locations below!

1. Costa Rica: You can't go wrong with Costa Rica. From the capital of San Jose, to the beaches of Flamingo, Samara, and Manuel Antonio, expect temperatures in the mid-80's. Combine a great, warm weather vacation with learning Spanish in Costa Rica to take the chill away.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina is a super spot to soak up some sun, enjoy temperatures in the low 80's, learn Spanish, and hey, maybe take some tango lessons as well!

3. Santiago, Chile: Escape to Santiago and enjoy temperatures in the 80's during their summer and North America's winter months! A quickly developing, major city, Santiago is also situated near both beaches and fantastic mountains with plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities.

4. Montevideo, Uruguay: With average summer (again, North America's winter) temperatures at 75 degrees, this colorful, friendly city is a great escape to warm up and practice or learn some Spanish.

5. Bangkok, Thailand: With the highest average daily temperature of any major city, Bangkok is a great destination, especially during their "cooler" winter months. Average daily temperatures still reach the low-90's. Take advantage of learning some Thai while soaking up some of that bright southeast Asia sun!

Want to compare some warm weather study abroad programs? Check out Enforex, AmeriSpan Study Abroad and Languages Abroad.

Love Skiing and Culture? Study Abroad in France!

2010-01-15T17:10:10-05:00

Love to ski? A skier’s repertoire can’t possibly complete without a trip to the French Alps. Unequalled by any other region in the world for linked terrain, it appears one can ski forever in the French Alps!

Located in Western Europe, France is sandwiched between Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain, with Great Britain just across the English Channel. France is a hub of refinement. Drink the best wine in the world, see the most famous paintings ever made, eat the most sophisticated cuisine, watch cutting-edge films, relax on the most pristine beaches… France appears to have it all.

Great places to study French are Bordeaux, Nice, Normandy, Montellier, and of course, Paris.

Paris, the capital of France, is known as the “City of Light”. It is also known as the most popular tourist destination in the world, and for good reason. Paris is home to the Eiffel Tower, which was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1889. The Louvre, a spectacular art museum, is home to such works as the Mona Lisa, Madonna of the Rocks, and the Venus de Milo. Famous artists whose paintings and sculptures are displayed at the Louvre include Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Rubens. In total, there are over 35,000 works of art at the Louvre. Another art museum in Paris is the Musée d’Orsay, which holds an extensive collection of French Impressionist works. Major painters such as Monet, Renoir, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Seurat have work displayed here. The Musée d’Orsay also has an exceptional collection of sculptural masterpieces and furniture design.

A short side trip from Paris will take you to the Palace of Versailles, built for the Sun King, Louis XIV. Versailles is one of the largest and most absurdly luxurious palaces in the world. Vast formal gardens extend in all directions and include fountains, sculptures and the Grand Canal. The Palace of Versailles has been an architectural inspiration for many later buildings, including palaces in England, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Germany, and even Rhode Island.

Another location in France that is a hotspot of activity is Provence. Located in southeastern France along the Mediterranean coast, Provence is known for its beaches, mountains, lavender fields, art, wine, and food. Popular destinations in this region are the French Riviera, known for its exclusive beaches; the town of Arles, known for Vincent Van Gogh’s tenure in its mental institution; the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most important in the world; the French Alps, with arguably the best skiing to be found; and proximity to Monte Carlo with its Grand Prix and casinos.

A true skier’s paradise, the French Alps include the largest ski areas in the world. Les Trois Vallees (the Three Valleys) are three interlinked valleys that can be skied on one ski pass. This is the largest ski area in the world connected by ski lifts and slopes, encompassing 410 square miles. Another famous ski area, Les Portes du Soleil, connects thirteen resorts between Mount Blanc in France and Lake Geneva in Switzerland. It covers 400 square miles and fourteen valleys. France… come for the culture, stay for the skiing!

Looking to study abroad in France? Try All Study Abroad, Languages Abroad, or AmeriSpan Study Abroad. Each has a wide selection of programs to help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Favorite Study Abroad Locations for 2010

2009-12-31T12:43:50-05:00

With the countdown fast approaching, it's time to decide: Where will you study abroad in 2010? First, you have to decide what you are really looking for. Intensive language study? Party atmosphere? Which language? Maybe it's time to try something new, say Portuguese, Chinese, or Japanese. If you are a newbie language-learner, Spanish is a great place to start.

Spain will probably always top the list as one of our favorite places to study abroad. Cosmopolitan cities, amazing food, non-stop nightlife, warm hospitality, the list goes on and on! There is such a range of places where you can study in Spain, from the capital of Madrid, to the stunning architecture of Barcelona, to the golden city of Salamanca.

Costa Rica also tops our list with its amazing natural biodiversity and range of settings, including mountains, cloudforests, beaches, and much more. Lovers of the outdoors will find Costa Rica a true treat.

China is fast becoming a fabulous place to study abroad, with a treasure trove of cultural history, warm people, and of course their emergence as a world power ensures that learning Chinese will be helpful in the future.

Another option is to volunteer abroad. You get to learn a new language, be completely immersed in a new culture, and help out an organization in need. Also, by volunteering abroad, you can often save money versus a standard language immersion program. Great locations to volunteer abroad include Costa Rica, Argentina, and Peru.

Wherever you decide, make it your New Year's resolution to study abroad in 2010. For more information and comparison of study abroad programs, check out All Study Abroad.

Video of Learning Spanish in Tenerife Spain

2009-12-23T16:56:45-05:00

Watch a video of a Spanish school in Tenerife, one of the seven Canary Islands, which are located off the coast of Africa. Beautiful black sand beaches, volcanic landscapes, and a wonderful climate all make for a great place to study Spanish (especially if you live in a cold winter climate!) This particular school is Don Quijote, click to see more YouTube videos from Don Quijote Schools.

Keep Learning Spanish or French After Study Abroad

2009-12-15T16:05:01-05:00

After studying abroad, the best way to keep your new language skills is to continue to practice and learn. Of course, when you are no longer being immersed in a different culture and language, this can be difficult. A great way to keep up with your Spanish or French is Think Language.

Think Language is an online magazine and community for learning Spanish and French. Designed to increase fluency while learning about life and culture abroad, Think Spanish and Think French are comprised of ten articles each month focusing on grammar and fluency. Each article comes with an audio file that you can play on your iPod or save to a CD. Also, each month you receive lessons, quizzes, vocabulary flashcards and more.

Make sure you keep up with your Spanish and French language skills after studying abroad, and make it easier and more fun with Think Language. Think Spanish is currently offering a special of $70 off a full year's subscription. Interested? Click here.

Student Diplomat Video Contest Deadline Dec 15

2009-12-08T14:30:45-05:00

A great opportunity from NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Abroad View, the global magazine for students! Deadline in December 15th. The contest requires you submit a short video from 1-3 minutes long, about how your study abroad experience has helped to advance global understanding. The winner gets $300 and you get to be the next Student Diplomat. The NAFSA website has the complete contest rules and tells you how to submit your video.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Economic Breakdown of a Study Abroad Experience

2009-12-03T14:14:01-05:00

Interesting and relevant article from The Fairfield Mirror:

December 2, 2009 By: Cynthia Palmieri
Peter Caty/The Mirror

It’s a typical week in Florence and Katie Clavin ‘11 has spent 60 euro ($88) on her food, 300 euro ($444) on a trip to Capri, and 30 euro ($44) per night at the local bars.

With the euro rising to 1.47 in comparison to the U.S. dollar, it seems study abroad has reached new economic heights. “The money situation is ridiculous, you spend so much more,” said Clavin.

Tuition and Airfare

Every semester over 100 Fairfield juniors leave campus to study in a foreign country. The University’s study abroad program is advertised as a student’s “passport to the world.” It gives students the opportunity to study in places such as France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Nicaragua and Australia. However, with this passport comes a price.

In order to have a successful study abroad experience, students are obligated to plan ahead academically and economically. “It’s so expensive, I am spending thousands of dollars on top of tuition,” said Clavin, who is currently studying in Florence.

Semester programs administered by or affiliated with Fairfield are often within the same price range. The more popular places to study like Australia, Ireland and Florence cost about the same price of regular tuition, $18,000.

Keep reading here.

Now's the Time to Plan a Study Abroad Trip

2009-12-01T17:45:16-05:00

With the end of 2009 almost here and 2010 knocking on the door, what better time than to start planning a study abroad trip for next year? Teens and college students looking to study abroad during the summer months do well to start planning now and applying soon, before popular programs and locations get booked up. If you are thinking of doing a semester or year abroad, it's best to start planning especially early to ensure the proper steps are taken.

Excellent locations to look into for study abroad are Spain and Costa Rica, but don't overlook lesser-traveled countries like Guatemala and Honduras, both of which offer great value and quality programs. Volunteering abroad is also growing by leaps and bounds, and you should plan ahead to make sure you get the placement you would like. International internships look great on your resume, or grad school application too!

Already know Spanish? Why not branch out and try a new language? Of course, with the similarity of Romance languages, you could always go that way, but why not try an Asian language, Chinese or Japanese? Both languages are sure to be helpful in the future of our rapidly shrinking world.

Whatever your goal may be, be sure to plan ahead to get the best program possible for your study abroad trip. Some organizations to check out are Languages Abroad and Don Quijote.